Shloka 7
Dyumatsena’s Restoration and Sāvitrī’s Disclosure of Yama’s Boons (आरण्यकपर्व, अध्याय २८२)
स तामामन्त्र्य सुश्रोणीं पुष्पकेतुशराहत: । इदमित्यब्रवीद् वाक््यं त्रस्तां रीहीमिवाबलाम्,कामदेवके बाणोंसे घायल हुआ रावण मृगीके समान भयभीत हुई उस सुन्दरी अबलाको सम्बोधित करके इस प्रकार बोला--
sa tām āmantrya suśroṇīṃ puṣpaketuśarāhataḥ | idam ity abravīd vākyaṃ trastāṃ rīhīm ivābalām ||
புஷ்பகேதுவான காமதேவனின் அம்புகளால் காயமுற்ற ராவணன், மான்போல் அஞ்சி நடுங்கிய அந்த அழகிய இடுப்புடைய அபலையை நோக்கி, இவ்வாறு சொன்னான்—“இதைக் கேள்…”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how overpowering desire (kāma), personified as Kāma’s arrows, can disturb judgment and lead the powerful toward ethically dangerous conduct—especially when directed at the vulnerable. It implicitly warns that strength without restraint becomes a threat to dharma.
Markandeya narrates that Rāvaṇa, inflamed by desire as though wounded by Kāma’s arrows, approaches and addresses a beautiful woman who is trembling in fear like a doe, and begins to speak to her, introducing his forthcoming words.